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Portrait by Gabriela Paciorek

Domeyko, Ignace (Don Ignacio)

Educator, naturalist, explorer. Born August 22, 1801 in Niedzwiadka near Nowogrodek, Poland, the son of Hipolit and Caroline Ancut. In 1816 finished secondary school in Szczuczyn. In 1816 studied biology at Wilno University from which he graduated in 1822. In 1831 took part in the Polish insurrection against Russia. In 1832 as a political refugee left Poland, passing Dresden, Germany, went to Paris, France, where after four years of study, he graduated with honors from the University of Paris: Ecole Des Mines in 1836. The French professors secured for him a position as professor of chemistry and metallurgy in Serena, Chile. On February 2, 1837 left Paris, for Chile. In Coquimbo (Serena) organized courses in Physics amid Chemistry. Founded a library and mineralogical, petrifactive and paleontological museum. In 1938 engaged as a professor of chemistry and mineralogy in Santiago University, Chile. In 1847, professor of chemistry and metallurgy in National Institute in Santiago, Chile. In 1850 married Euriquetta Sotomayo. Had one child. In 1867 nominated president of the Chilean University in Santiago. As such he reorganized time Chilean University and engaged many scholars from abroad; reorganized the Elementary School System for Chile. In 1884 visited Poland, spending four years there. He passed the Andes six times. Cordilleras is a range of mountains of such vast extent and altitude as to render them one of the most remarkable physical features of the globe. It follows the whole of the west coast of South America, from Cape Horn to the Isthmus of Panama and the Caribbean Sea. Discovered many minerals, mineral springs, plants; made many geological and mineralogical discoveries; very useful for Chilean industry, especially mining. In honor of his services to Chile the highest peak of the Andes is called Cervus Domeyco; one settlement is called Puerto Domeyco; one mineral called: Domeyt; one element is called: Domeykit (cupric arsenate) Cu₃ A₃0_4--2 4H₂0. One of his discovered fossils is called nautilus Domeykus, by Professor Alcides d'Orbryny; Professor Dufresnoy called one ammonite: Ammonites Domeykanus. Professor Claudius Gay called one kind of violet: Viola Domeykana. Professor Haidinger called cupric arsenate, discovered by Professor Domeyko: Domeykit. For 46 years made meteorological researches. Climbed the highest peaks of the Andes: examined the volcanoes; for months lived together with araucanians Indians, Southern Chile. Was the highest authority in education, coinage and mining. Wrote 130 books in French, Polish, and German. Some of them are: "Araucania and Araucanians"; "The Principles of Experimental Physics, and Meteorology"; "The Principles of Mineralogy"; " The Coinage System"; "The Chilean Cordilleras" (1870-1872); "Filareci-Filomaci"; "O mlodosci Mickiewicza." "Wspomnienia." Daily paper in Santiago Ferrocaril wrote: Domeyko was more than a professor; he was Apostle of the Chilean education and science. Died in 1889 in Santiago, Chile.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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